Might & Magic Heroes VI delayed until October 13

@Mortegro
3 was fantastic and probably the best of the series, 4 was terrible, and 5 was a little better but it had unnecessary 3d graphics.

Don't know about this one but it probably won't be very good.

@advancedcaveman

I agree 3 is the best of the series, 2 was the best and then 3 improved on it in every way. The in engine "cutscenes" in 5 were offputting enough to make me hate the whole game.

I recently discovered the King's Bounty series, and I am really enjoying it. It's like HOMM minus the city building, but a ton more RPG elements.

@Mortegro

Many people have fond memories of 3, which is excellent, but as someone who actually gave HoMMV a shot I can say it is EASILY the best in the series. Just turn off the 3D camera and it surpasses 3 in every way.

Specifically: the combat system, leveling-up system, personality (incredible animations and unit diversity), and game balance is all better in 5.

Take it from someone who has dumped well over 100 hours into HoMM2, HoMM3, and HoMMV and all of their expansions. (probably put close to 50 hours into HoMMIV, in case you were wondering).

@(Unverified) Do you have any thoughts on the 6th installment?

@Mortegro

My ear has been to the ground on it, but I have not been a part of the beta (I really should sign up for that). So keep that in mind as you read my early thoughts.

Their combat system looks largely taken from HoMMV, which in my book is a big win.

They are apparently taking some of the RPG content from King's Bounty, which may or may not be a win. King's Bounty was excellent, but I'm not sure how well any King's Bounty mechanics will mesh with HoMM economy structure.

I'm slightly worried about the economy shift, reducing the number of total resources. In the original game you had to choose what resources your fought over. Do you take something that helps you or do you take something that helps your opponent (preventing them from getting it)? With fewer resources, more castles will depend on the same resources. This opens the door to a "snowball effect." That is, if I get a mine, it will both help me and hurt you, giving you less of a chance for a comback. This means it could focus players a bit more and shorten the length of games. Whether or not this is a good thing is a bit subjective (though not to my personal liking).

From a pure art standpoint I do think 6 looks really good, I'm going to be very excited to see it in motion, but it really looks like their upping the ante on the tech side while maintaining the style of V (which was really a 3D evolution of HoMM3, in terms of it being stylized).

One of my biggest gripes with 6 so far is the SPECTACULAR collectors edition isn't available in the states (yet). It looks like a Euro exclusive, which makes me really sad.

@(Unverified)
I don't think turning off the camera does the trick. I like the 2d graphics in the old games because it gave you this abstract, high up view of the game where the descriptive text filled in the details for you. It's one of the same reasons I really like Plainscape Torment, Spiderweb Software RPGs or really any old 2d PC strategy/RPG game like this. I also just like the 2d sprite art better.

@(Unverified) I hear where you are coming from. Thanks for the information. You have made this game show up on my radar now in a way it was not before.

As a side not, for someone who writes concisely and fairly eloquently, you really should register and get an account here at the good ol' Joystiq. We would be happy to count you as a fellow fan. :)

It's weird to be talking in such depth to a nameless dude or dudette.

@(Unverified)

To this day I play a HOMM3 game at least once a month, both vanilla and WOG, whichever I'm in the mood for. I played through the HOMM5 campaign and its expansions, and I've never had the urge to go back, the cutscenes are just too offputting. The gameplay is good, but there's not much it does that WOG doesn't (in fact I'd have to see a list of features, WOG might do more). I prefer the 2D graphics, and the music is undeniably better.


This is just BAD. If you're going to put forth this little effort, just let me read and use my imagination.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDdaU79x9zs

@Mortegro I appreciate the kind words. Let us hope my registration has taken. Let us also both hope HoMMVI is a worthy sequel.

Also, I am a dude. :)

@Jenks I will disagree on the music front, I thought the theme to Heroes V was simply beautiful, however, you make in interesting point about the cutscenes.

I am forced to admit that despite all the time I put into HV I have never played the campaign, I only play the skirmishes. I do need to put more time into WoG, which I recently discovered, but here is my short list of improvements in HV over H3.

-Initiative and Speed are separate stats in combat. This not only leads to the "initiative bar" at the bottom of the screen, but it also means the person who goes first doesn't get to move their entire army first. It's all about the troop types you choose to use.
-Spells are extremely well balanced, both with other spells and non-magic users.
-Unit abilities are very interesting and varied (especially in the final expansion, which adds 50% more units in the form of new upgrades!!!).
-Heroes have interesting abilities beyond just spells.
-The personality of the creatures and combat animations are unmatched... maybe in any game ever. The Vampires agonizing death when he turns to ash leaving only his sword behind on the battlefield or the Titan's arrogant and effortless lightning strike are just a few examples.
-Castle building has a far more versatile progression order.

@Gillium Right on! Welcome to the club, dude. :)

Thanks, bud.